Help with a soon to be Jeep owner

BuckeyeMac · 10-31-2010, 07:26 AM

Before I get to my questions, I just have to say, that this forum is one of the best forums I have ever been apart of. I've been lurking for the past month or so, and the users here give a family-esque vibe with everything. I will be here for a longggg time.

Now, I am looking into a 4dr JK, most likely a Sport S, soft top. I won't be doing much offroading, I live in Columbus, OH (COLD winters), will probably be doing a 2.5" lift after (not any higher due to incurring higher costs), and also bigger tires.

Here's my questions:

1. With the Pentastar V6 coming out in 2012 Jeeps (most likely), what are the advantages of this new engine? (Gas mileage, etc?) And would it be worth waiting for my everyday vehicle driving to work etc?

2. Is it a good idea to buy new, or go with one that has say 30,000 miles to save a few $k's?

3. I see on Jeeps website, under options, does the standard media option come with the AUX jack? I have an iPhone that I want to hook up for music, etc.

4. Do all Wranglers come with the sub in the back, and speakers in the roll bar above the front seats, etc or is that an extra option?

I'll be starting my test drives after the cold winter here in Cbus. I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future.

Thanks for the help,
Mac

jm16 · 10-31-2010, 07:41 AM

I'm in the same boat shopping so I hope you don't mind me tagging along searching for answers.

I'm going with used route, think I have it pinned down to 1 of 2, any thoughts would be great.
1. 2007 30k miles, 17 in rims, sexy half doors
2. 2009 15k (20 left on mfg war), 16s, reg doors

Both are the same price, although the newer one is further below KBB, not sure if wheels matter since Id probably buy new ones eventually. I love the half-doors but think they're worth giving up the mileage?

Used Rubis are nonexistent in my area. Which is ok I doubt I'll get into mudding for a while, just snow and basic trails for next year or 2.

Sry to hijack but someone might be able to help us both out thanks.

**Washi** · 10-31-2010, 07:51 AM

Hmmm, very good questions. While I cannot truly answer most of them, I can give you my insight on Used versus New. I just sold my 2004 TJ and bought my new to me 2009 Rubicon. It was a fleet vehicle and had 49,000 Highway miles. It is in VERY good condition, and came with MOPAR front bumper and Warn 9.5ti winch. I am not concerned about the miles, as it is all highway and hase been taken care of. But, because of the miles, I got a 2009 Rubicon witha bumper and winch for $20,000, and new 30,000 mile/3year warranty, and gap insurance thrown in. I am EXTREMELY happy with the savings that I got. Just keep your eye out for a good deal. If you can find one that was bought as a soccer mom mobile on accident, you are in there! Most Wranglers, in my opinion and experience, are seldom wheeled (or wheeled hard) by their first owners (afraid to damage it and so on).

**thedirtman** · 10-31-2010, 07:55 AM

Soft top is cold and noisy. Check out wildboar.com for some nice after market hard tops if it ends up you don't like the soft top. There is no guarantee on the pentastar in 2012 same rumors were running last year as well as the diesel one. My 07 has an aux. input jack on the front as well as my wife's mygig but we both have the premium sound system. It is just a mini rca jack like your headphones. The mygig has usb too but cant transfer songs from the iphone from it. You can with a flash drive. Jeeps hold their value pretty well so it is up to you finding what you want so save a few thousand. The if the warrantee is important than you want new if not find a good used one. The sound bar and sub are options that come with the premium sound system.

Welcome to the community and have fun.

LarryGrant · 10-31-2010, 08:10 AM

OP here are a couple of suggestions for ya also. Test drive a soft top on the coldest day this winter. Most say the soft top is good in the winter (dont know as my hard top is on by that point). In my opinion id buy used (I did) you can get a used rubicon for the same price as a new base model. Also make sure this is what you want as a jeep is a different animal if you want it as a daily driver (yeah i know im gonna get flack for that). Just as any new car or truck the jeep WILL loose value the day you drive it off the lot if new. There are people that get a jeep and find they are not happy with it as a daily driver. Just my opinion take it for what its worth.

BuckeyeMac · 10-31-2010, 08:23 AM

I have no problem with a jeep as an everyday vehicle. It's an upgrade from what I have currently, a 94 grand prix that I've been driving since I got my license and it gets about the same if not worse gas mileage than the jeep, so that is not the issue. Thanks for the insight on used vs. new. I've been looking for used around where I live, there just aren't many used jeeps available around here.

Vin · 10-31-2010, 08:37 AM

I would sugest getting the factory hard top. It will last longer than a soft top, it's more secure than a sorft top, and all you need is a place to put if to go topless. Not to mention a soft top is cheaper to buy than a hard top.

If you've been lurking, then you see that generation 1 anything that Chrysler tries with Jeep is like playing Russian Roulette. I made jokes about it, but there have already been posts about the steering wheel controls not working probably. You've got my opinion on that.

The Sub, as far as I know, is an option, and a nice one at that. I think it fills out the low end nicely. Just remember you are buying a Jeep, not a car. Don't expect a great sound system as you would in a car. As much as they have greatly improved the design, a Jeep is still noisey by comparison to a car. A Jeep is a Jeep, a car is a car.

LarryGrant · 10-31-2010, 08:45 AM

Buckey i was not refering to gas milage or such when i said about daily driving it. if you only get a soft top you need to be worried about safety of belongings in it. also storage is a problem with a jeep. they are very safe but not the most comfey on a long road trip I do love my jeep dont get me wrong but i also dont have to drive it daily if i dont want to.

russ1436 · 10-31-2010, 09:42 AM

If you're really not sure about waiting until 2012 or whether to buy new or used, you might want to just take a little more time looking, test driving and reading. I don't think there is any one right answer.

All wranglers should have an aux input, and the sub woofer is an option.

I live near Columbus too and have a 2 door Rubicon with a soft top - had no issues at all in the winter, either from the cold or leaking. Jeep heaters are very strong.

BuckeyeMac · 10-31-2010, 10:55 AM

Since so many are mentioning getting the hard top, how heavy is it? I currently live in an apartment with my girlfriend, and no room to store the hard top. However, hopefully buying a house here very shortly as well. With that being said, I'll be putting my jeep in the garage.

**Washi** · 10-31-2010, 11:04 AM

2dr's not bad, espescially since it's a three piece top! If you are in decent shape you should, with some practice, be able to remove it yourself. It's not easy, but it's doable. The 4dr on the other hand requires two people at a minimum.

Blu-Jacket · 10-31-2010, 11:07 AM

I thought the 4dr hard top weighs around 95lbs. For storage, doesn't the apartment complex offer garages?

lonewolf210 · 10-31-2010, 11:39 AM

Personally I would buy used it took me a little while to understand it but there is really no reason to buy a new vehicle. If you are patient and willing to look you can find vehicles that are essentially new and much cheaper.

If you are looking used you really should check out craigslist a lot of people discredit it or think that only junk or scams are on there but there are some really great deals too. I got my 08 unlimited rubi with only 13k on it from there in may and it was over 6k under KBB.

I have to echo what people are saying about the hard top being a better choice for you although it is pretty heavy. However with the freedom top you may decide that you don't want to remove the roof. It doesn't give you the same look as a topless jeep but it does get you out of the enclosed felling if you are in the front seats.

nwbronco · 10-31-2010, 12:05 PM

We actually have 2. Both unlimiteds. One is hardtop full doors, the other is softtop half doors. Both are a blast to drive. Highway noise is definitely up there with the soft top. It makes it nigh impossible to talk on a cell, (I like this part), and conversations are a bit louder. I'm actually partial to the softtop. I can drop it and the half doors all line up neatly behind the rear seat. I can be comletey open in about 10 minutes. I need a safari hat, I keep losing my ball caps. We've been out on the trails in both. The hardtop has a bit of forest pinstriping. The soft top has some tillamook clay on it that will never come off. The hardtop is an '08 Rubicon (bought new). It is still stock, and it's trailworthy just like that. The softtop is an '07. And I am afraid I cannot leave this one alone. (long story). It's sitting on 37's right now. I've got 5.13s, ARBs, and chromemolys for the front Dana30.

You should be able to test drive with either tops. Pull the freedom panels off and take it out again. Drop the soft top and take it out again. Take the family, if you have one, with you. My wife actually said to get the Rubicon. (another long story).

Bob K.

saharac · 10-31-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Here's my questions:

1. With the Pentastar V6 coming out in 2012 Jeeps (most likely), what are the advantages of this new engine? (Gas mileage, etc?) And would it be worth waiting for my everyday vehicle driving to work etc?

2. Is it a good idea to buy new, or go with one that has say 30,000 miles to save a few $k's?

3. I see on Jeeps website, under options, does the standard media option come with the AUX jack? I have an iPhone that I want to hook up for music, etc.

4. Do all Wranglers come with the sub in the back, and speakers in the roll bar above the front seats, etc or is that an extra option?

Thanks for the help,
Mac

1. There are other threads that discuss the Pentastar in great detail, but to summarize, they offer far higher HP (260 or so), higher torque, and improved gas milleage by +2 for highways. But nobody seems to have a definitive answer to whether it will be in the 2012 JKs...
My Jeep is a daily driver and drives about 80 highway miles for work everyday, I have a hard top and noise is not that big of a problem and when you buy a Jeep you pretty much know that you are not going to get 35mpg or you would not be thinking about it.... My only small disappointment is that the current V6 lacks a bit of HP, its great on the trails, but on the highway going up a hill you would be pushing the RPM to stay steady at 75mph.. (but again its a Jeep not a race car)

2. I am all for the used vehicle... Although I would like the Jeep with the Pentastar, but I would still wait for it to be a couple years old before getting it, so that would be 2014 hopefully... As somebody else pointed out, any vehicle as soon as you drive it out of the parking lot the price drops by a few grands, but at the same time JKs are good at holding their value...

3/4. All JKs will have a AUX port, the sub + 6 speakers is a optional package.